Eastern Michigan quarterback Tyler Benz started nine games a year ago. He threw for 1,511 yards and 14 touchdowns.

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Under a new athletic director in Heather Lyke, Ron English has taken a more hands-on approach to the most important football season in his coaching career at Eastern Michigan.

A former defensive coordinator, English will take on that role with the Eagles, personally running the defense while hiring former Michigan offensive coordinator Stan Parrish to run the offense.

"I would tell any coach that becomes a head coach to coach a position on that team because that's why you got there; that's your area of expertise and that's where you can have great influence," English said. ...